July 26, 2001
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) - Defensive end Andre Carter, the San Francisco 49ers'
top draft pick, agreed to a five-year, $11.6 million contract Thursday.
Carter, the seventh overall choice, was an All-America defensive end at
California last season. The 49ers traded up in the April draft to select the
former San Jose high school star.
San Francisco is counting on Carter to become the latest rookie contributor
to its rebuilding effort. He is expected to make an immediate impact while
playing alongside Bryant Young and Dana Stubblefield on the 49ers' defensive
line, which was one of San Francisco's biggest weaknesses last season.
"He is flat going to earn a starting job, and he's going to keep it,"
49ers coach Steve Mariucci said.
Carter will receive signing and option bonuses that guarantee $7.7 million
over the first two years of the contract.
Carter was disappointed when he missed the first day of workouts at the
49ers' training camp, but after he arrived in Stockton on Thursday night, he
said he was ready to get started.
"On Tuesday, I had my bags packed and ready to go," Carter said. "It was
a little disappointment, but I'm just ready to give it my all."
After drafting Carter and bringing back Stubblefield as a free agent to
complement Young, that weakness might be a strength. Mariucci said Carter will
start out on the right end, but could see playing time all over the line.
"We were thrilled on draft day when we were able to draft Andre," general
manager Terry Donahue said. "Andre Carter is going to be a part of this
organization for a long time."
Carter's father, Rubin, played 10 seasons for the Denver Broncos and is an
assistant coach with the New York Jets. Carter said he remembered his father's
training camps, and they helped to prepare him for the four weeks he's
currently facing.
"My attention span when I was little wasn't up there, but I do remember my
dad just coming home dog-tired and maybe a little upset," Carter said. "I'm
sure I'll feel that way before too long."
Carter was the last player to sign with the 49ers, whose veterans report to
camp at the University of the Pacific on Saturday, with the first full-squad
workouts on Sunday.
"He makes our team complete now," Mariucci said. "To have everybody in
here is unusual. Most teams don't have that."
